Govt to begin 2014 cash handout programme in July

The government says it will begin paying this year’s cash handouts in the first week of July. Executive Council spokesman Leong Heng Teng says that between July and September the government will share MOP5.65 billion (US$707.46 million) among about 650,000 people. Over 590,000 permanent residents will each receive MOP9,000 and over 61,000 temporary residents will each receive MOP5,400. The amount to be paid is the biggest ever since cash handouts began in 2008.